Service marks centenary of Scouting

8:54am Tuesday 15th May 2007

SCOUTS from across the North-East marked the centenary of the movement in a cathedral service.

Durham Cathedral was alive with colour as more than 100 Scout and Explorer Scout groups paraded standards. Every Scout group in County Durham and Tyne and Wear was represented.

Led by the Reverend Keith Lumsdon, from St Luke's Church, in Ferryhill, the service heralded Scouting's rich heritage.

Mr Lumsdon, the Scouts county chaplain urged the congregation following Scouting founder Baden Powell's message: "Try and leave this world a little better than you found it".

Digital projection screens around the cathedral allowed Explorer Scouts from Derwentside and Blyth, in neighbouring Northumberland, to give a video-based interpretation of modern Scouting values.

Scout group members also provided music, with choir giving a rendition of the Scout Hymn.

The good weather enabled Scouts to line up outside on Palace Green for a photograph taken from the top of the cathedral's main tower, to signify the centenary.

Guests at the service included Mayor of Durham Councillor Jeff Lodge, who was escorted by his traditional bodyguard, plus the High Sheriff of Durham, Ian Dewhirst, and county council chairman Edna Hunter, who were joined by some veteran Scouting members from round the region.

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